Rush to get married on leap year day in Gretna

Lovers will flock to Gretna Green on Friday, desperate to get married on 29 February. Wedding planners at venues in the tiny Scottish border town, where romantics have been getting married for more than 250 years, say there are 38 ceremonies booked compared with the daily average of 10.

'We're far busier than usual, even compared to a busy Friday or Saturday in the height of summer,' said Paul Taylor, owner of the Gretna Wedding Planner. 'The usual comment we get from the groom is that it's "only one day every four years he has to remember".'

Gretna became famous in the 19th century for weddings between eloping couples escaping English law, which prevented anyone under 21 marrying without parental consent.